1. Terrace House: Boys and Girls in the City

Courtesy of Kakkoi club

This Japanese reality show is a cross between The Real World and Jersey Shore, but is simultaneously neither of those. 6 strangers (3 boys and 3 girls) live in a house together for the summer. They drink together, date each other, and eat together. Hence, Real World/Jersey Shore. However, there is no screaming, cursing, or fighting– these millennials talk things out when tensions rise, drink in moderation, and date respectably. It seems mundane, but somehow I’m hooked.

One of my favorite aspects of the show is the commentary we get from a group of Japanese comedians/entertainers who sit in a living room watching the show. Their observations are both insightful and hilarious, and add an element to the reality show genre that you don’t get anywhere else.

The show originally aired on Japan’s Fuji TV network from 2012-2014, then premiered on Netflix in 2015. There are two seasons available on Netflix. Try not to binge it– I dare ya.

2. Homemade seitan

All hail

seitan.

I made my own seitan (vital wheat gluten; a common protein source for vegans/vegetarians) for the first time last week, and OMG I didn’t realize how easy it is! I usually buy it at the grocery store, thinking that making it myself would be a lot of effort, but no!! Everyone has to try it. It took me under an hour to make from start to finish.

I think the trick is to find a recipe that uses the steaming method. I’ve heard mixed reviews from people who attempt to boil/simmer seitan.

This recipe from One Green Planet and this recipe from Yeah That Vegan Shit are good starting points.

3. The Sellout

This satire, by Paul Beatty, is about a man who tries to reintroduce slavery and segregation to the dying neighborhood of Dickens, a town in the outskirts of LA. It’s an entertaining, educational, bizarre, and somewhat depressing novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m probably going to re-read it because I don’t think I fully understood all the nuances and references on the first read.

If you’re looking for a new book to read, I highly recommend this one :)

4. Nando’s Peri Peri hot sauce

Courtesy of Nando’s Peri-peri

I think I found my new favorite hot sauce (for now). I randomly got this when I visited Montreal a couple weeks ago because I foolishly didn’t bring any hot sauce with me, and needed to get some to hold me over for the weekend. (Anyone who knows me IRL knows how much I love hot sauce. It’s absolutely essential.) There are five flavors– lemon & herb, medium, garlic, hot, and extra extra hot– I got the hot.

I love it– It’s got acidity, flavor, and plenty of heat. I hate hot sauces that say spicy but aren’t actually spicy at all; this definitely isn’t one of them. I’ve been putting it on everything and I’m about to run out already… need to get me some more ASAP!

5. Martin’s Pretzels

Courtesy of orangette

I bought these for the first time a couple weeks ago at the Union Square farmer’s market. They are big, crunchy, fresh pretzels that are perfect for snacking. The ingredients are really minimal (water, salt, yeast, and flour) as well, which I love. I am definitely going to make this a regular purchase at my farmer’s market hauls!